Bernie Griffen and The Thin Men - Gig Review: Bernie Griffen and The Thin Men @ The Incubator, Tauranga - 26/05/2018
Patrons are huddled together, braving the weather in a cold red shed, in
the heart of Tauranga’s Historic Village. Winter hits hard, but as so many
artists overlook the city of Tauranga when they book shows on their tours, the
people are happy to turn up and support them. The venue itself is a unique
venue that boasts itself as a vibrant and eclectic art space that supports a
diverse range of bands and independent artists. Tonight is no exception,
with a double-bill of musicians renowned for their talent and ability.
First up is Ed Gains, a man of a thousand styles; from performing in bizarre raucous bands,
to the maniacal solo work that has a serious punk attitude. His calm exterior
frequently turns “Jack Nicholson”; twisting into an almost crazy image, but
tinged humour. Tonight, Ed is wearing a different hat; not his usual cowboy
hat, instead, more of an American forestry manager style of cap.
As he starts to play, he bewilders the audience
with sparse arrangements of country-tinged songs, making extraordinary use of
the higher registers of his voice. Sarah Murphy, joins Ed mid-set to add some
beautiful harmonies with even Chris Kemp, the headlining Thin Men drummer,
jumping in for a couple of well-played numbers. Each song is followed by brief
bites of comedic banter as he endears himself to the crowd; they clap, cheer
and whistle throughout each song, and again much louder at the end of his
set.
The excited crowd waited patiently for Bernie Griffen and the Thin Men to take their place on stage. Their style has been described as Southern
Gothic and it is a well-formed description. Best compared to a country/folk
fusion of the darker elements of Johnny Cash, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave
musical styles. The tour is in support of their third album, Doors Wide
Open, and it sees the collaboration of Bernie with
life partner, Kirsten Warner, who co-sings and plays rhythm guitar.
Bernie’s quiet, seated style of playing and picking, contrasts with the
stand-up swaying rhythm of Kirsten’s guitar. Kirsten also adds the highs to
Bernie’s lows in both harmonies and adds many layers of feeling and
expression within the music.
Chris
Kemp again takes residence upon the drum throne and carefully adds minimalist
touches to the mood of each song forgoing drumsticks in favour of brushes
to add greater feeling and depth. Garry Trotman is on the double bass, and is
another very experienced musician, adding tone, vibrato and chording to every
song, embellishing each track without taking the spotlight. Never showy but very
competent, letting his fingers do the talking. At times, the band were
edged into Latin territory, most evident in the piece entitled My Brain Exploded, where a totally
new style is adapted flawlessly.
The cold night did little to detract from the event, instead adding depth to
the sombre gothic-inspired lyrical content. Another great night of music,
turn out the lights.
Review Written by Johnny B
About Bernie Griffen and The Thin Men
The new record sings out like a scream in a quiet night -- Bernie’s characters are hard-living and hard-loving, outlaw and savior, the lover and the man in trouble -- Bernie Griffen tells tales of adventure, loss and a life hard lived.
It’s a timely follow-up from 2011’s Everything So Far (Bernie Griffen and the Grifters) -- which featured the song 29 Diamonds, championed by Radio NZ’s Trevor Reekie in 2011: "If there’s any justice in this industry, 29 Diamonds would win a Silver Scroll, it is achingly poignant and it will travel forever."
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Bernie Griffen and The Thin Men
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